Legal Definitions - ransom

Definition: Ransom refers to the money that is paid to someone in exchange for the release of a kidnapped person or stolen property. It can also refer to the act of demanding or paying the money to release the kidnapped person or property.

In California, kidnapping and demanding ransom is a crime known as "aggravated kidnapping." The case of People v. Ibrahim outlines four situations that illustrate this crime:

1. The primary victim is abducted and held while ransom is demanded from a secondary victim.
2. The kidnap victim is not moved, but the secondary victim is.
3. Neither victim is moved.
4. The kidnap victim is held to induce police officers to refrain from resisting and stopping the defendant's criminal acts.

For example, if someone kidnaps a child and demands money from the parents in exchange for the child's release, that money would be considered ransom. If the kidnapper is caught and charged with aggravated kidnapping, they could face serious legal consequences.